Local hope Jack Miller’s confidence that he can challenge for a podium finish at the Australian MotoGP has been boosted by an encouraging display in the opening free practice sessions at Phillip Island.
The island’s notoriously changeable weather conditions were in full effect on Friday with the second session held in blazing sunshine after morning practice took place on a wet and slippery rain-affected track.
Spanish star Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha) was quickest in both sessions, but Miller was buoyed by the pace of the Pramac Racing Ducati that he piloted to second in the standings in morning practice and fifth in the afternoon.
The Queenslander has finished seventh in his past two home races and believes he is capable of better in Sunday’s 27-lap MotoGP, given his early pace.
“I’m more confident (now), but there’s no shortage of work ahead of us,” Miller told reporters.
“It was a positive day with good pace and I feel good.
“There’s a few little things we need to do and for us to understand what our tyre life is going to be.
“We’re confident, but not over-confident … there’s still a bit of work we need to do in order to try to get on that (podium) box.”
Miller this year has enjoyed the best of his five seasons in the premier class. Three podiums have helped him to eighth in the world championship standings with a career-high 125 points.
He jumped out to early leads at Phillip island in his past two races before falling back through the field late, but felt it could be different this time around with the momentum of his strong 2019 campaign.
“The couple of years we’ve been able to lead and fight with those top guys for the majority of the race,” he said.
“This year, it actually feels like we’l be able to take it to them for the full race distance.
“I hope it’s like that come Sunday.”
Australian Moto2 rider Remy Gardner (SAG Team) walked away from a terrifying high-speed crash at the notorious Hayshed corner in morning practice.
He earlier posted the 11th-fastest time and was 19th in the second session, with Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Martin quickest in both.
Australian wildcard rider Yanni Shaw (Double Six Motor Sport) crashed out at turn 12 without posting a time in the morning and was 30th in the afternoon session.